For most of us bungee jumping is a sport reserved for adventure seeking back-packers or youngsters looking for some adrenaline rush, but on Wednesday, while the country was marking New Nepali Year 2066, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation Hisila Yami proved this wrong by taking the jump from what is claimed to be world’s highest location for this kind of sport.

Minister Yami took part in the bungee jumping programme at The Last Resort in a bid to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Six women adventurers also took part in the jump: Maya Gurung (Everest summiteer and skydiver, Poojan Acharya (Everest summiteer), Asha Kumari Singh Everest Submitter), Ngawang Bhutik Sherpa Mountaineer/Everest summiteer), Neerjala Tamrakar (cyclist/national champion) and Radha Tamang (kayaker).

Speaking to media persons after taking the jump, the former rebel leader said, “As National Geographic has already declared Nepal as one of the Best Adventure Tourism Destination in the world, I would like to reiterate that Nepal is also one of the safest destination in the world.”

“By taking a bungee jump, I want to send out a message to people wishing to visit Nepal, that our government is ‘pro tourism’ and we are doing our best to promote Nepal in the world tourism arena, especially for the visit Nepal Tourism year 2011,” she said expounding on the reason behind this daring act of her.

Taking a jump with six women adventurers, she said, also showed her solidarity towards “women’s upliftment”, and added that she would like to see more female participation in adventure tourism in the coming days.

The sporting event was organized by Nepal Tourism Board. nepalnews.com Apr 15 09